As most readers of my blog will have no doubt read in the past few years, I have spent many an hour watching, studying and photographing the Norfolk Hawkers in east Kent. This has also led to me trying to find an exuviae of this species which took three years but as the species has continued to thrive and expand in the Stour Valley, last year, I found over 20 exuviae in a few ditches and dykes which was certainly very rewarding considering the hours spent looking and searching through the reeds and vegetation. The features to ideally look for are the typical aeshnid shaped head with quite protruding eyes, broad mask, tip shape of the epiproct but undoubtedly the key feature is the length of the cerci which are more than two thirds the length of the paraprocts. Hopefully 2019 will be another successful year for this species and the photos will be of some help to others that may come across some exuviae in the Stour Valley or nearby. I suspect there are other pockets in east Kent where the Norfolk Hawker may well be breeding with a number seen last year up to c5 miles from the main Stour Valley colonies so a check of suitable habitat may well turn up the odd exuviae.
Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) exuviae - side view
Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) exuviae - side view
Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) exuviae showing broad mask
Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) exuviae - showing head and eye shape
Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) exuviae - side view
Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) exuviae - side view
Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) exuviae - showing tip shape of the epiproct
and relatively long cerci
Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) exuviae - showing tip shape of the epiproct
and relatively long cerci
Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) exuviae showing broad mask
Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) exuviae - side view
Fantastic idea of yours, the Norfolk Hawker, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Bob. They are totally fascinating in their own right. So delicate yet packed full of detail.
DeleteMore superb images and information, Marc. What kit did you use for these shots (body, lens, lights), if you don't mind me asking? Best wishes - - - Richard
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Richard. I take these with a Canon 7d mk 1 camera along with a Sigma 150mm macro. Normally I will use manual mode, speed set to 250, 400 ISO and between f5.6 - f14 with some flash from a speedlite if needed but these shots were taken on a lovely sunny day so AV mode was used, 400 ISO and the light was around 1000 giving a nice bright image.
DeleteSuperb I.D. images Marc.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Johnny. Hopefully they will be of use to a few enthusiasts in the coming seasons.
Deletecongratulation for your efforts for 3 year to observe and to take photos of Norfolk Hawker.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy to see your wonderful photos. have a great day
Many thanks Tanza. It's been a mission but last year finally drew in the rewards with a few found. Always nice to photograph them.
DeleteSalut Marc
ReplyDeleteCela devait être une mission de suivre et photographier le Hawker de Norfolk pendant 3 ans. Cette information est inestimable et extrêmement instructive.
Vos photos sont donc très habilement aménagées. Mes compliments
Salutations
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Hi Marc,
this must have been a mission to follow and photograph the Norfolk Hawker for 3 years. This information is invaluable and extremely instructive.
Your photos are therefore very skilfully laid out. My compliments.
regards
Many thanks Helma for your visit and comment. Much appreciated.
Delete